Dear Friends at Trinity,
As Trinity moves forward through the transition before you, I want to say a few things.
- Thank you. You’ve been very good to us.
- Our leaving is not and should not be taken as a rejection. Various personal factors impacted our decision. But from a pastoral service point-of-view, there is a time when change can be beneficial for all. No one person is ever indispensible. And you reach the limit in terms of what you can do beyond maintenance as a minister.
- You’re in our Lord’s hands.
- Be assured that until we cast-off, I will do nothing in regard to pointing the boat in a certain direction; or picking a successor or any of that sort of thing. I hope you know that I’ve tried always to avoid trying to be in control other than carrying out the duties specific to my vocation. I want you all to stand on your own two feet.
- As you look ahead – and this is the most important point – be gracious and forbearing to my eventual successor. No two pastors are alike. Don’t do comparisons. Don’t assume that the way I did things were universally right. Let the next pastor be the pastor God made him to be. Give him room to carry out his duties. He won’t be perfect, but neither was I.
- Finally, look on this new chapter as a new adventure. New ventures are scary. I am scared too. But here’s a great chance to discover the incredible love of our Lord, who never played it safe, but always played it real and lived in faith which is – hoping in things unseen.
In Christ,
Pastor Picard